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Comedian George Jessel hit the stage in an exaggerated salaam to the King of rock and roll at Elvis's evening performance at Ellis Auditorium February 25, 1961. Jessel, the master of ceremonies, could not make it to the earlier matinee performance because of an airline strike. Elvis Presley Day began earlier with a luncheon honoring the singer at Hotel Claridge. More than $50,000 was raised for charity from the events. Robert Williams/The Commercial Appeal

Elvis Presley made an appearance, but did not sing, at Russwood Park on June 28, 1957, for a benefit for what would become St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Elvis is flanked by comic Lou Costello and actress Jane Russell. Others appearing on the program before an estimated crowd of 11,000 were singers Roberta Sherwood and Ferlin Husky and actress Susan Hayward. Barney Sellers / The Commercial Appeal

Elvis Presley playing touch football at the Dave Wells Community Center December 27, 1956. Several hundred people watched the singer pass, kick and run a touchdown. Elvis's first movie, "Love Me Tender", in which he performed several songs, had premiered November 15th in New York City. The movie opened Thanksgiving Eve (Nov. 21, 1956) at Loew's State Theatre in Memphis. On Sunday January 6, 1957, Elvis would make his third and final appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. In between the football game and the Sullivan appearance, he reported for his pre-induction Army physical January 4th. (By Barney Sellers / Copyright, The Commercial Appeal) Barney Sellers, The Commercial Appeal

051712 BYGONE A fan shows off her dress at Elvis Presley's concert at Ellis Auditorium in 1956. More than 7,000 people jammed Ellis Auditorium on the night of May 15 to stomp, shudder, shriek and sigh as a young Elvis Presley writhed his way through a rock and roll repertoire. Presley was the blockbuster of Bob Neal's Cotton Picking Jamboree, a feature of Cotton Carnival opening night. (By Robert Williams / The Commercial Appeal) Robert Williams, The Commercial Appeal

Elvis Presley at his piano inside Graceland in this 1965 photograph. Elvis had misgivings about allowing pictures to be made inside his home. "It's not that I don't want pictures," he said. "You know what I mean. Some people might think I am looking for publicity or trying to exploit my home. I certainly don't want anyone to think that." (By Charles Nicholas / The Commercial Appeal)
EDS NOTE: BELIEVE THIS WAS AN OUTTAKE FROM MARCH 7, 1965 EDITION OF MID-SOUTH SHOOT. IT RAN IN THE DECEMBER 25, 1966 ISSUE OF MID-SOUTH Charles Nicholas, The Commercial Appeal

December 27, 1957 - Elvis Presley, poses with his house guests, Kathy Gabriel, 19, left, and Hanneri Melcher, 20, in Memphis. Melcher, Miss Austria 1957, met Elvis in Las Vegas in November 1957, and visited Graceland at Christmas time with her roommate, 1957's Miss Ohio, Kathy Gabriel as they were on their way to New York. Elvis had just received news of a 60-day draft extension to March 20. (Robert Williams/The Commercial Appeal )
Robert Williams, The Commercial Appeal

Elvis Presley and fellow inductee Farley Guy (right), an old friend from Lauderdale Courts on March 24, 1958. After reporting for duty about 6:30 a.m. at the Draft Board office in the M&M Building, 198 South Main, he and other inductees would spend much of the day at Kennedy Veterans Hospital for processing and physicals before boarding a bus for Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. By the 28th, Elvis arrived at Fort Hood, Texas where he would undergo six months of training before shipping off to Germany. Presley moved about the rec room at Kennedy constantly. "If you think I'm nervous, it's because I am," he joked. (Robert Williams / The Commercial Appeal) Bob Williams, The Commercial Appeal

Yvonne Lime, Hollywood starlet, and Elvis Presley looked lovey-dovey at each other Friday April 19, 1957 in front of Graceland, Elvis' new $100,000 mansion near Whitehaven. Miss Lime, who was visiting for the Easter holidays, had a small part in "Loving You", Elvis' second motion picture which premiered July 9th of that year. Production had begun in mid January and wrapped by mid-March. (Robert Williams/The Commercial Appeal) Robert Williams, The Commercial Appeal

Elvis Presley in a Memphis city court Friday October 19, 1956 along with Gulf service station employees Edd Hopper (left) and Aubrey Brown. The trio had a fight the previous night when Elvis pulled into the station at Gayoso and Second for repairs and was beseiged by fans. Hopper, the station manager, ordered Presley away and a brief altercation ensued. All three were booked for assault and battery and disorderly conduct. Charges against Presley were dismissed. Hopper and Brown both had to pay fines. (By Robert Williams / The Commercial Appeal) Robert Williams, The Commercial Appeal

Elvis Presley swapped pleasantries with well-wishers after being cleared in a Memphis city court of charges Friday October 19, 1956. Presley and Gulf service station employees Edd Hopper and Aubrey Brown had a fight the previous night when Elvis pulled into the station at Gayoso and Second for repairs and was besieged by fans. Hopper, the station manager, ordered Presley away and a brief altercation ensued. All three were booked for assault and battery and disorderly conduct. Hopper and Brown both had to pay fines. At left is Presley's father, Vernon Presley. (Robert Williams / The Commercial Appeal) Robert Williams, The Commercial Appeal

Elvis Presley playing touch football at the Dave Wells Community Center December 27, 1956. Several hundred people watched the singer pass, kick and run a touchdown. Elvis's first movie, "Love Me Tender," in which he performed several songs, had premiered November 15th in New York City. The movie opened Thanksgiving Eve (Nov. 21, 1956) at Loew's State Theatre in Memphis. On Sunday January 6, 1957, Elvis would make his third and final appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. In between the football game and the Sullivan appearance, he reported for his pre-induction Army physical Jan. 4. Barney Sellers/The Commercial Appeal

16 Jan 1971 - Photo by Dave Darnell. Elvis Presley (cq) signs autographs for fans after leaving a luncheon at the Holiday Inn Rivermont. At left is Red West (cq). Behind West is William N. Morris (cq), former sheriff of Shelby County. Presley was being honored by the Jaycees as one of the Outstanding Young Men In America. This photograph appeared on Page One of The Commercial Appeal when Presley died in 1977. Dave Darnell, The Commercial Appeal

Elvis fans hoping for the chance to get his autograph on the night of May 15, 1956 at Ellis Auditorium where Elvis performed for more than 7,000. His performance was a feature of Cotton Carnival opening night. ( By Robert Williams / The Commercial Appeal) ROBERT WILLIAMS, The Commercial Appeal

Police clasped hands and hung on for dear life as hundreds of Elvis Presley fans, apparenty tired of worshiping their idol from afar, surged forward for a closer look. Eighty-five policemen were assigned to keep order at the at the E.H. Crump Memorial Football Game for the Blind at Crump Stadium November 30, 1956. ( By Robert Williams / The Commercial Appeal) CK NEGATIVE ETCHED BARNEY SELLERS The Commercial Appeal

Elvis Presley playing touch football at the Dave Wells Community Center December 27, 1956. Several hundred people watched the singer pass, kick and run a touchdown. Elvis's first movie, "Love Me Tender", in which he performed several songs, had premiered November 15th in New York City. The movie opened Thanksgiving Eve (Nov. 21, 1956) at Loew's State Theatre in Memphis. On Sunday January 6, 1957, Elvis would make his third and final appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. In between the football game and the Sullivan appearance, he reported for his pre-induction Army physical January 4th. (By Barney Sellers / The Commercial Appeal)
Barney Sellers, The Commercial Appeal

Elvis Presley performs what would be his last Memphis concert July 5, 1976 before a crowd of 12,000 at Mid-South Coliseum. Exactly twenty-two years earlier (7/5/54), Elvis recorded "That's All Right" at Sam Phillips' little studio at 706 Union. Introducing the song, he said: "I've had some people say - well, you can't do that song anymore - well, you, by God, just watch me." (By Barney Sellers / The Commercial Appeal) Barney Sellers

More than 7,000 people jammed Ellis Auditorium on the night of May 15, 1956, to stomp, shudder, shriek and sigh as a young Elvis Presley writhed his way through a rock and roll repertoire. Presley was the blockbuster of Bob Neal's Cotton Picking Jamboree, a feature of Cotton Carnival opening night. buyitnow

Elvis Presley and several friends took a spin around McKellar Lake in his new boat on July 8, 1960. He purchased the 16-foot powder blue speedboat the night before. Elvis said he had first become interested in boating while in California. Asked if he planned to ski, he said: "Not today. Don't want to make an idiot of myself." File

Elvis fiddles with an electric bass inside Graceland in this photograph published March 7, 1965, in the first issue of Mid-South, the now-defunct Sunday magazine of The Commercial Appeal. Elvis had misgivings about allowing pictures to be made inside his home. 'It's not that I don't want pictures,' he said. 'You know what I mean. Some people might think I am looking for publicity or trying to exploit my home. I certainly don't want anyone to think that.' buyitnow

Maid of Cotton Patricia Cowden (left) and Memphis Cotton Carnival Queen Clare Mallory gave Elvis Presley royal kisses just before the rock and roll singer walked on stage before a packed Ellis Auditorium audience on the night of May 15, 1956. buyitnow

Elvis Presley posed with one of his cars outside Graceland in this photograph published March 7, 1965, in the first issue of Mid-South, the now-defunct Sunday magazine of The Commercial Appeal. Elvis complained of the long sessions with photographers making movie publicity stills: 'I try to cut the time down to three or four hours, but sometimes you have to pose for six or eight. A man only has so many different smiles, and I don't have many.' buyitnow

Elvis Presley performs what would be his last Memphis concert July 5, 1976, before a crowd of 12,000 at the Mid-South Coliseum. Twenty-two years earlier to the day, Elvis recorded 'That's All Right' at Sam Phillips' little studio at 706 Union. Introducing the song, he said: 'I've had some people say - well, you can't do that song anymore - well, you, by God, just watch me.' buyitnow

Clutching an Elvis Presley 'Love Me Tender' wrist watch, Sue Manker was all aflutter when the rock and roll king bussed her Nov. 30, 1956, at Crump Stadium. The singer was tardy and missed the opportunity to crown her as queen of half-time activities at the E.H. Crump Memorial Football Game for the Blind. But what a consolation prize! buyitnow

Comedian George Jessel hit the stage in an exaggerated salaam to the King of rock and roll at Elvis' evening performance at Ellis Auditorium Feb. 25, 1961. Jessel, the master of ceremonies, could not make it to the earlier matinee performance because of an airline strike. Elvis Presley Day began earlier with a luncheon honoring the singer at Hotel Claridge. More than $50,000 was raised for charity from the events. buyitnow

He was born on Jan. 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Miss., and became a legend in his own time. More than 7,000 people jammed Ellis Auditorium on the night of May 15, 1956, to stomp, shudder, shriek and sigh as a young Elvis Presley writhed his way through a rock and roll repertoire. Presley was the blockbuster of Bob Neal's Cotton Picking Jamboree, a feature of Cotton Carnival opening night. buyitnow

Elvis Presley in a Memphis city court on Oct. 19, 1956, along with Gulf service station employees Edd Hopper (left) and Aubrey Brown. The trio had a fight the previous night when Elvis pulled into the station at Gayoso and Second for repairs and was besieged by fans. Hopper, the station manager, ordered Presley away and a brief altercation ensued. All three were booked for assault and battery and disorderly conduct. Charges against Presley were dismissed. Hopper and Brown both had to pay fines. buyitnow

Elvis Presley on the day of his induction into the army March 24, 1958. Miss Judy Spreckels and Miss Anita Wood (next to Elvis) were among those to see him off. After reporting for duty about 6:30 a.m. at the Draft Board office in the M&M Building, 198 South Main, he and other inductees would spend much of the day at Kennedy Veterans Hospital for processing and physicals before boarding a bus for Fort Chaffee, Arks. By the 28th, Elvis arrived at Fort Hood, Texas, where he would undergo six months of training before shipping off to Germany. buyitnow

Elvis Presley at Kennedy Veterans Hospital on Getwell Jan. 4, 1957. Elvis reported to the hospital that afternoon for his army pre-induction physical performed by Capt. Leonard Glick and a written qualification exam administered by Lt. Jack Zager just days before his 22nd birthday on Jan. 8. Elvis left for New York by train later that evening for his third and final appearance on Ed Sullivan's 'Toast of the Town Show,' which broadcast Jan. 6. buyitnow

Some 200 fans waited at Union Station to welcome Elvis Presley home from his stint in the U.S. Army on March 7, 1960. He was wearing a (non-issue) dress blue Army uniform made in Germany. Elvis was discharged at the rank of sergeant, but the tailor had mistakenly given him the stripes of staff sergeant. The formal white shirt was a gift from Frank Sinatra delivered March 3 by his daughter, Nancy, on Elvis' first day back in the U.S. On March 26, Elvis would tape a special 'Welcome Home, Elvis' version of Sinatra's ABC-TV variety show, which aired May 12. Asked by reporters if he planned to wiggle his hips when he returned to singing, Elvis said: 'I'm gonna sing and I'll let the shaking come naturally. If I had to stand still and sing, I'd be lost. I can't get any feeling that way.' buyitnow

Yvonne Lime, Hollywood starlet, and Elvis Presley looked lovey-dovey at each other on April 19, 1957, in front of Graceland, Elvis' new $100,000 mansion near Whitehaven. Miss Lime, who was visiting for the Easter holidays, had a small part in 'Loving You,' Elvis' second motion picture which premiered July 9 of that year. Production had begun in mid-January and wrapped by mid-March. buyitnow

Elvis Presley performed for 14,000 fans at Russwood Park in Memphis the night of July 4, 1956. The big charity event included a speech by Mississippi Sen. James O. Eastland and the annual picnic. The marathon show featured over 100 performers and lasted more than three hours. Elvis topped off the revue with a half-hour stint in the spotlight. buyitnow

Elvis Presley fans hoping for the chance to get his autograph on the night of May 15, 1956, at Ellis Auditorium, where Elvis performed for more than 7,000. His performance was a feature of Cotton Carnival opening night. buyitnow

An unidentified woman approached Elvis Presley at Goodfellows headquarters Dec. 16, 1957, with a request: 'Elvis, please autograph my arm!' Elvis was at the headquarters to present the Press-Scimitar Goodfellows with 100 brand new $10 bills. Elvis let it be known that the Goodfellows had played Santa Claus for him seven years earlier. 'Our family had it pretty rough that year,' he recalled. 'The Goodfellows made my Christmas for me.' buyitnow

After being released from jail following his arrest for a fight at a downtown service station Oct. 18, 1956, Elvis went home to 1034 Audubon to relax and play with his new pet. A week later the service station owner, Clarence Harwell, publicly apologized to Presley for the incident. Presley was cleared in city court of misconduct, but two station attendants with whom he tangled briefly drew fines for assault and battery. buyitnow

Elvis Presley and Anita Wood embrace as she steps from an airliner at Memphis Municipal Airport the night of Sept. 13, 1957. Miss Wood, hostess for a Memphis TV show, 'Top 10 Dance Party,' was returning from a week in Hollywood preparing for her first movie role in 'Girl in the Woods.' Elvis had given the 19-year-old a friendship ring the previous week in Hollywood. buyitnow

Elvis Presley, dressed in civilian clothes, after his return home from the army March 7, 1960. Elvis was greeted by a crowd of some 200 people in the early morning cold at Memphis' Union Station. In the afternoon, he held a press conference in the two-room office building behind Graceland where he explained to newsmen the use of karate, a form of judo. Presley became a student of karate while stationed in Germany. buyitnow

Elvis Presley dropped by The Commercial Appeal on the night of June 8, 1956, and found an offbeat note. He saw a story that a Canadian radio station was banning his records. 'A lot of people like it,' was one of his comments. buyitnow

While on his first furlough, Elvis Presley explains the insignia on his uniform to fans at the gates of Graceland on June 1, 1958. Elvis arrived late the previous night for a two-week leave. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on March 24, 1958. buyitnow

Elvis Presley went backstage at The Auditorium on the night of March 9, 1962, to say hello to some of his friends in the Holiday on Ice cast, and skating star Dorothy Goos promptly put him to work holding yarn. Elvis had visited Holiday on Ice performers here during their last three annual visits. buyitnow

Elvis Presley signs autographs for fans during a luncheon at the Holiday Inn Rivermont in 1971. Presley was being honored by the Jaycees as one of the Outstanding Young Men In America. Priscilla Presley is seated by him. Seated on Elvis' other side is William N. Morris, former sheriff of Shelby County. buyitnow

Elvis Presley aboard the train that brought him home to Memphis on March 7, 1960. Some 200 fans waited at Union Station to welcome him home from his stint in the U.S. Army. At left is Col. Tom Parker, who died Jan. 21, 1997. buyitnow

Eight-year-old Mary Kosloski had a date with Elvis Presley Jan. 8, 1958, and he kept her waiting for more than two hours. The Collierville girl, who was the national March of Dimes poster child in 1955, seemed to forgive all when Elvis appeared and told her: 'If you were 10 years older, honey, I wouldn't let you go.' The pair were photographed with teddy bears and pandas Elvis was sending to the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis for auction during an upcoming fund drive. buyitnow

Elvis Presley leaves Memphis' Union Station on March 7, 1960. A crowd of 200 waited in the cold to see Elvis safely home from his stint in the U.S. Army. He arrived via private rail car on Southern Railway's Tennessean about 7:45 a.m. After speaking with fans, he hopped in Insp. Fred Woodward's police car and was driven to Graceland, escorted by city police, sheriff's deputies and state troopers. buyitnow

More than 150 people jammed into the mayor's office Dec. 17, 1963, to see Elvis Presley hand out Christmas checks totaling $55,000. The checks benefited 58 Memphis and Mid-South charities. In appreciation, the organizations presented Elvis with a six-foot plaque. It was warm in the room, and when Commissioner Claude Armour announced Elvis was going to pass out the checks, the singer wiped his brow and said, 'Elvis is going to pass out, period.' buyitnow

Boulevard Souvenirs owner Renae Roberts (top) chats with costumer Andrea Amota,(bottom) from Detroit, at her store a half block north of the gates of Graceland. Roberts owns the the last independent souvenir shops near Graceland. (Photo: Mark Weber, The Commercial Appeal)Buy Photo

Address aside, you won't find any references to Elvis Presley on the exterior of the small, rectangular building, which squats smack dab in the heart of one of Memphis' most celebrated stretches of real estate.

As the last independent gift shop in the expanding spread of land controlled by Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises, Boulevard Souvenirs tries to be inconspicuous — to avoid stepping on any corporate blue suede shoes, so to speak.

But inside, Elvis is everywhere. The store is an explosion of collectible Elvis trinkets, knickknacks and tchotchkes, including many that can't be found in the official Elvis stores.

If you want a $100 Elvis camouflage Army jacket, cross the street to Elvis Threads, one of the Graceland gift shops at the new $45 million Elvis Presley's Memphis entertainment complex.

But if you want a plastic M&M character dressed in an Elvis jumpsuit, stay at Boulevard Souvenirs.

"We've got it all," said Renae Roberts, who co-owns the store with her husband, Rick Roberts. "It has to be pretty awful before we won't buy it because you never know what people might want."

Like the stubborn old man's house surrounded by skyscrapers in the Pixar film "Up," Boulevard Souvenirs is a nonparticipant in what some call progress. It's a survivor from an era when Elvis was known as "The King" but not yet labeled a "brand."

Almost hugging the curb on the east side of Elvis Presley Boulevard, the store is sandwiched between the Graceland offices, to the south, and the spacious Guest House at Graceland, the relatively new 450-room hotel operated by Elvis Presley Enterprises.

This means that Boulevard Souvenirs also is just down the street from the famous mansion that attracts about 600,000 visitors a year.

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Now, however, a spirit of detente rules, probably because Graceland, which declines to discuss the matter, can afford to bide its time. The Roberts' lease expires in 2021, according to Rick Roberts. If this is a waiting game, Elvis Presley Enterprises is likely to prevail.

In the meantime, "We take a lot of pride in being a strong, independent Elvis business that appreciates the loyalty of the Elvis fans," said Rick Roberts, 55. "We just hang out and do our thing."

Jolstad said she appreciates the store's constancy. "It's the one thing that feels the same," she said, adding that she has come to Memphis for Elvis Week — the tourist-heavy days around the anniversary of Presley's Aug. 16, 1977, death — for 24 years straight.

Like Jolstad, some longtime visitors complain that the new, glossier Graceland experience is less fan-friendly than a visit to Graceland was in the past, even if the new museums are first-rate.

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The only thing predictable about Elvis is that he's unpredictable. On Tuesday, December 4, 1956, Carl Perkins (second from left) was cutting some new records at Sam Phillips' Sun Record studio on Union at Marshall. Elvis Presley dropped in. So did Johnny Cash (right). Jerry Lee Lewis (left) was already there. Elvis headed for the piano, and an old-fashioned barrelhouse session with barbershop harmony resulted. Accompanying Elvis was his house guest (not pictured) Marilyn Evans, 19, a dancer at the New Frontier in Las Vegas. Commercial Appeal files

More than 7,000 people jammed Ellis Auditorium on the night of May 15, 1956, to stomp, shudder, shriek and sigh as a young Elvis Presley writhed his way through a rock and roll repertoire. Presley was the blockbuster of Bob Neal's Cotton Picking Jamboree, a feature of Cotton Carnival opening night. buyitnow

Maid of Cotton Patricia Cowden (left) and Memphis Cotton Carnival Queen Clare Mallory gave Elvis Presley royal kisses just before the rock and roll singer walked on stage before a packed Ellis Auditorium audience on the night of May 15, 1956. buyitnow

Elvis Presley posed with one of his cars outside Graceland in this photograph published March 7, 1965, in the first issue of Mid-South, the now-defunct Sunday magazine of The Commercial Appeal. Elvis complained of the long sessions with photographers making movie publicity stills: 'I try to cut the time down to three or four hours, but sometimes you have to pose for six or eight. A man only has so many different smiles, and I don't have many.' buyitnow

Elvis Presley performs what would be his last Memphis concert July 5, 1976, before a crowd of 12,000 at the Mid-South Coliseum. Twenty-two years earlier to the day, Elvis recorded 'That's All Right' at Sam Phillips' little studio at 706 Union. Introducing the song, he said: 'I've had some people say - well, you can't do that song anymore - well, you, by God, just watch me.' buyitnow

Clutching an Elvis Presley 'Love Me Tender' wrist watch, Sue Manker was all aflutter when the rock and roll king bussed her Nov. 30, 1956, at Crump Stadium. The singer was tardy and missed the opportunity to crown her as queen of half-time activities at the E.H. Crump Memorial Football Game for the Blind. But what a consolation prize! buyitnow

Elvis fiddles with an electric bass inside Graceland in this photograph published March 7, 1965, in the first issue of Mid-South, the now-defunct Sunday magazine of The Commercial Appeal. Elvis had misgivings about allowing pictures to be made inside his home. 'It's not that I don't want pictures,' he said. 'You know what I mean. Some people might think I am looking for publicity or trying to exploit my home. I certainly don't want anyone to think that.' buyitnow

Elvis Presley and several friends took a spin around McKellar Lake in his new boat on July 8, 1960. He purchased the 16-foot powder blue speedboat the night before. Elvis said he had first become interested in boating while in California. Asked if he planned to ski, he said: "Not today. Don't want to make an idiot of myself." File

Comedian George Jessel hit the stage in an exaggerated salaam to the King of rock and roll at Elvis' evening performance at Ellis Auditorium Feb. 25, 1961. Jessel, the master of ceremonies, could not make it to the earlier matinee performance because of an airline strike. Elvis Presley Day began earlier with a luncheon honoring the singer at Hotel Claridge. More than $50,000 was raised for charity from the events. buyitnow

He was born on Jan. 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Miss., and became a legend in his own time. More than 7,000 people jammed Ellis Auditorium on the night of May 15, 1956, to stomp, shudder, shriek and sigh as a young Elvis Presley writhed his way through a rock and roll repertoire. Presley was the blockbuster of Bob Neal's Cotton Picking Jamboree, a feature of Cotton Carnival opening night. buyitnow

Elvis Presley in a Memphis city court on Oct. 19, 1956, along with Gulf service station employees Edd Hopper (left) and Aubrey Brown. The trio had a fight the previous night when Elvis pulled into the station at Gayoso and Second for repairs and was besieged by fans. Hopper, the station manager, ordered Presley away and a brief altercation ensued. All three were booked for assault and battery and disorderly conduct. Charges against Presley were dismissed. Hopper and Brown both had to pay fines. buyitnow

Elvis Presley on the day of his induction into the army March 24, 1958. Miss Judy Spreckels and Miss Anita Wood (next to Elvis) were among those to see him off. After reporting for duty about 6:30 a.m. at the Draft Board office in the M&M Building, 198 South Main, he and other inductees would spend much of the day at Kennedy Veterans Hospital for processing and physicals before boarding a bus for Fort Chaffee, Arks. By the 28th, Elvis arrived at Fort Hood, Texas, where he would undergo six months of training before shipping off to Germany. buyitnow

Elvis Presley at Kennedy Veterans Hospital on Getwell Jan. 4, 1957. Elvis reported to the hospital that afternoon for his army pre-induction physical performed by Capt. Leonard Glick and a written qualification exam administered by Lt. Jack Zager just days before his 22nd birthday on Jan. 8. Elvis left for New York by train later that evening for his third and final appearance on Ed Sullivan's 'Toast of the Town Show,' which broadcast Jan. 6. buyitnow

Some 200 fans waited at Union Station to welcome Elvis Presley home from his stint in the U.S. Army on March 7, 1960. He was wearing a (non-issue) dress blue Army uniform made in Germany. Elvis was discharged at the rank of sergeant, but the tailor had mistakenly given him the stripes of staff sergeant. The formal white shirt was a gift from Frank Sinatra delivered March 3 by his daughter, Nancy, on Elvis' first day back in the U.S. On March 26, Elvis would tape a special 'Welcome Home, Elvis' version of Sinatra's ABC-TV variety show, which aired May 12. Asked by reporters if he planned to wiggle his hips when he returned to singing, Elvis said: 'I'm gonna sing and I'll let the shaking come naturally. If I had to stand still and sing, I'd be lost. I can't get any feeling that way.' buyitnow

Yvonne Lime, Hollywood starlet, and Elvis Presley looked lovey-dovey at each other on April 19, 1957, in front of Graceland, Elvis' new $100,000 mansion near Whitehaven. Miss Lime, who was visiting for the Easter holidays, had a small part in 'Loving You,' Elvis' second motion picture which premiered July 9 of that year. Production had begun in mid-January and wrapped by mid-March. buyitnow

Elvis Presley performed for 14,000 fans at Russwood Park in Memphis the night of July 4, 1956. The big charity event included a speech by Mississippi Sen. James O. Eastland and the annual picnic. The marathon show featured over 100 performers and lasted more than three hours. Elvis topped off the revue with a half-hour stint in the spotlight. buyitnow

Elvis Presley fans hoping for the chance to get his autograph on the night of May 15, 1956, at Ellis Auditorium, where Elvis performed for more than 7,000. His performance was a feature of Cotton Carnival opening night. buyitnow

An unidentified woman approached Elvis Presley at Goodfellows headquarters Dec. 16, 1957, with a request: 'Elvis, please autograph my arm!' Elvis was at the headquarters to present the Press-Scimitar Goodfellows with 100 brand new $10 bills. Elvis let it be known that the Goodfellows had played Santa Claus for him seven years earlier. 'Our family had it pretty rough that year,' he recalled. 'The Goodfellows made my Christmas for me.' buyitnow

After being released from jail following his arrest for a fight at a downtown service station Oct. 18, 1956, Elvis went home to 1034 Audubon to relax and play with his new pet. A week later the service station owner, Clarence Harwell, publicly apologized to Presley for the incident. Presley was cleared in city court of misconduct, but two station attendants with whom he tangled briefly drew fines for assault and battery. buyitnow

Elvis Presley and Anita Wood embrace as she steps from an airliner at Memphis Municipal Airport the night of Sept. 13, 1957. Miss Wood, hostess for a Memphis TV show, 'Top 10 Dance Party,' was returning from a week in Hollywood preparing for her first movie role in 'Girl in the Woods.' Elvis had given the 19-year-old a friendship ring the previous week in Hollywood. buyitnow

Elvis Presley, dressed in civilian clothes, after his return home from the army March 7, 1960. Elvis was greeted by a crowd of some 200 people in the early morning cold at Memphis' Union Station. In the afternoon, he held a press conference in the two-room office building behind Graceland where he explained to newsmen the use of karate, a form of judo. Presley became a student of karate while stationed in Germany. buyitnow

Elvis Presley dropped by The Commercial Appeal on the night of June 8, 1956, and found an offbeat note. He saw a story that a Canadian radio station was banning his records. 'A lot of people like it,' was one of his comments. buyitnow

While on his first furlough, Elvis Presley explains the insignia on his uniform to fans at the gates of Graceland on June 1, 1958. Elvis arrived late the previous night for a two-week leave. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on March 24, 1958. buyitnow

Elvis Presley went backstage at The Auditorium on the night of March 9, 1962, to say hello to some of his friends in the Holiday on Ice cast, and skating star Dorothy Goos promptly put him to work holding yarn. Elvis had visited Holiday on Ice performers here during their last three annual visits. buyitnow

Elvis Presley signs autographs for fans during a luncheon at the Holiday Inn Rivermont in 1971. Presley was being honored by the Jaycees as one of the Outstanding Young Men In America. Priscilla Presley is seated by him. Seated on Elvis' other side is William N. Morris, former sheriff of Shelby County. buyitnow

Elvis Presley aboard the train that brought him home to Memphis on March 7, 1960. Some 200 fans waited at Union Station to welcome him home from his stint in the U.S. Army. At left is Col. Tom Parker, who died Jan. 21, 1997. buyitnow

Eight-year-old Mary Kosloski had a date with Elvis Presley Jan. 8, 1958, and he kept her waiting for more than two hours. The Collierville girl, who was the national March of Dimes poster child in 1955, seemed to forgive all when Elvis appeared and told her: 'If you were 10 years older, honey, I wouldn't let you go.' The pair were photographed with teddy bears and pandas Elvis was sending to the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis for auction during an upcoming fund drive. buyitnow

More than 150 people jammed into the mayor's office Dec. 17, 1963, to see Elvis Presley hand out Christmas checks totaling $55,000. The checks benefited 58 Memphis and Mid-South charities. In appreciation, the organizations presented Elvis with a six-foot plaque. It was warm in the room, and when Commissioner Claude Armour announced Elvis was going to pass out the checks, the singer wiped his brow and said, 'Elvis is going to pass out, period.' buyitnow

When Rick and Renae Roberts opened Boulevard Souvenirs during Easter week 2000, the business was one of many gift shops along Elvis Presley Boulevard. These included the Graceland-owned stores across the street from the mansion in "Graceland Plaza" but also a number of privately operated shops in what was called "Graceland Crossing," a mini-strip mall that housed the Wooden Indian, Memories of Elvis, Loose Ends and other places that augmented their Elvis items with such nostalgia-oriented products as "I Love Lucy," Three Stooges and Betty Boop memorabilia.

In a large tent outside those stores during Elvis Week, Elvis "tribute artists" performed for free. (The Roberts' son, Ron Roberts, now 35, was among those who used to sing there.) Shoppers could relax and hang out in and around the tent. Parking, though limited, was free. The area always was crowded. "It was very social," Renae Roberts said.

Now, the Graceland Crossing shops are gone (except for a single Graceland-operated "Elvis outlet" store), the property having been purchased by Elvis Presley Enterprises. A tent that is home to ongoing "tribute artist" performances still exists, but it's located in the pay lot at Elvis Presley's Memphis, and access is denied to those who haven't purchased a wristband for Graceland attractions. What's more, several of the "official" gift shops are beyond the Elvis Presley's Memphis turnstiles, which means you can't get to them for free. In addition, the distances between the mansion and the tent and the shops do not represent easy walks for many Elvis fans.

Said Rick: "There's so many changes going on over there, and the older people, you know, older people don't like changes."

Said Renae: "A lot of these people don't have a lot of money, and they save all year to be here. They come here with coolers of food and they're staying three and four to a room, and they have gas in the car, and they want souvenirs they can buy that are not too expensive. They come here (to Boulevard Souvenirs), and they know I haven't gouged them."

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Boulevard Souvenirs owner Renae Roberts (left) chats with costumer Beth Salomie, (right) from Altoona, P., at her store a half block north of the gates of Graceland. Roberts owns the the last independent souvenir shops near Graceland. (Photo: Mark Weber, The Commercial Appeal)

Renae Roberts says the business is like a family, in more ways than one: Sister-in-law Delaina Roberts has worked at the 3,000-square-foot store almost from the beginning.

"My mom went to school with Elvis, at Humes," Delaina Roberts said. According to family lore from 1959, "I met him when I was 6 months old," when her mother pushed her in a baby stroller to watch Elvis and friends play a game of touch football.

A lifelong Memphian and Elvis fan, Rick Roberts was a traveling souvenir sales agent with a yen to run his own retail business when he and his wife — a transplant from North Dakota — first leased the property on Elvis Presley Boulevard, which previously had been a Precision Tune Auto Care franchise, built in 1975.

"I spent about eight months converting it from an auto place to a gift store, so I have a lot of sentimental attachment to it," he said.

The original lease-holder was Global Real Estate LLC, a St. Louis-based company that had bought out a slew of failed auto garages. But a decade ago, Elvis Presley Enterprises purchased the property, as part of its plans to convert the area into a Tourist Development Zone.

Even so, Rick and Renae Roberts had a solid lease that couldn't be terminated unless they violated its terms of agreement. They also already had shown willingness to fight Graceland in court, most notably in a 2007 lawsuit — ultimately dismissed — that charged the Elvis Presley company with conspiring to drive local competitors out of business.

As should be apparent by now, running an Elvis souvenir shop has been "an adventure, with ups and downs," according to Rick Roberts, who makes the drive to the store from the couple's Arlington home almost daily.

"It hasn't been nothing that makes you rich, no way, but it pays our bills," he said. "Pretty much, Elvis product sells itself."

Added Renae Roberts: "Elvis Week, this is like our Christmas. This is what holds us through the year."

And even those visitors who don't buy anything leave something behind, if only a vibe.

"People who come in here, they're happy," Renae Roberts said. "They're happy to be here. Very seldom does anyone come in with a frown."